ANIC Calls Upon the Australian Government to Vote in Favor of a Full Membership of The State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), the Australian Muslim community, Palestinian supporters, and human rights advocates urge the Australian Government to vote in favour of the Palestinians and other nation’s request for the State of Palestine’s full UN membership status at next Friday’s United Nations General Assembly meeting. ANIC support for this move is consistent with Australians and the global community calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and oppose the unjust and unlawful occupation. Israeli occupying forces continue to commit genocide against the Palestinian people,  with more than 33,000 killed in Gaza and tens of thousands injured. Over half the population in Gaza is now displaced and is facing starvation imposed by Israel. This is other than the escalated aggression currently being perpetrated against Palestinians in the West Bank and other Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The vote comes just a few days before the 76th anniversary of the Nakba (The Catastrophe) on May 15, which involved the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the obliteration of Palestinian communities to establish the State of Israel in 1948. Over 750,000 Palestinians were either forcibly expelled or fled their homeland. The Nakba continues today.

The Palestinian people have lived under apartheid and occupation for the past 76 years. The international community has largely failed them, often displaying one-sided and double-standard support for Israel with no regard for the lives, safety, and suffering of the Palestinian people.

ANIC calls on the international community and the Australian government to demand an immediate cessation of the Israeli offensive on Gaza and end the siege of Gaza.

ANIC also urges the Australian Government to acknowledge the plight and suffering of the Palestinians by voting in favour of the full membership of the State of Palestine at the UN this Friday and by recognising the State of Palestine.